Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Xi Jinping Promotes Military Commanders After Purge
Xi Jinping, the leader of China, has recently promoted two important military commanders.
This happened after a big cleanup in the military where many high-ranking officers were removed from their jobs.
The two new commanders are now in charge of important areas: one oversees the Taiwan Strait, and the other looks after Beijing and its surroundings.
This cleanup, or purge, was one of the largest in years and included removing nine top officers, including a very high-ranking general.
The promotions suggest that Xi Jinping is happy with the changes he has made so far.
The cleanup was part of a bigger meeting where many other officials were also removed or replaced.
Xi Jinping promoted Yang Zhibin to full general, overseeing the Eastern Theatre Command.
Han Shengyan was promoted to full general, heading the Central Theatre Command.
The promotions follow a major purge in October, where nine top military officers were removed.
He Weidong, Vice Chair of the Central Military Commission, was among those purged.
The purge was part of a larger reshuffle during the fourth plenum conference.
- Who
- Xi Jinping, Yang Zhibin, Han Shengyan, He Weidong
- What
- Promotion of military commanders after a purge
- When
- Months after the October purge, specific date not mentioned
- Where
- China, focusing on the Eastern Theatre Command and Central Theatre Command
- Why
- To reshape the military brass and address corruption concerns
- Promoted Commanders
- Yang Zhibin, Han Shengyan
- Positions
- Eastern Theatre Command, Central Theatre Command
- Purge Month
- October
- Number of Officers Purged
- 9 top military officers
- Highest-Ranking Officer Purged
- He Weidong, Vice Chair of the Central Military Commission
- Conference
- Fourth plenum conference
- Full Members Attended
- 168
- Alternate Members Attended
- 147